Lee Piper's Blog - Posts Tagged "five-stars"

André by Sybil Bartel

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Sybil Bartel is a one click author. It’s as simple as that. And Andre, her latest novel in the Uncompromising Series… *sighs* Is good. Like, really, really good.

Take one smokin’ hot Cuban alpha, a sassy spitfire who is more broken than whole, a heavily armed cult, and a security firm intent on bringing it to justice, and you have everything you need for an epic binge reading session.

I know, right? What an awesome premise for a romantic suspense.

Let’s take a moment to focus on heroine, Kendall Reed. Now, there are many authors who attempt to write ‘broken’ MC’s. There are many who fall short because rather than draw the reader in, the abrasiveness of the character repels them instead. Bartel, however, manages to tease empathy not only from the reader, but from the hero and minor characters as well. Yes, Kendall is defensive and abrupt. Yes, she is unapologetic at times. But damn, the fact she is still standing after being served what is arguably the most challenging hand life could possibly throw at a person, says everything about her courage. A courage she never trusted. A courage she never believed in. Until Andre.

Cue ovaries exploding in three … two … one.

Boom. Gone.

Prepare to be glued to your Kindle. Prepare for sparks to shoot from your device. Prepare to have your heart ripped open only to have it sewn back together again.

Prepare for one hell of a read.




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Lee Piper is an Evernight Publishing bestselling author. Rock My World, Book #1 in the Mondez series and Rock My Body, Book #2 are available now. You can find all of this information and more on her website: www.leepiperauthor.com

Lessons In Corruption by Giana Darling

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


You know you’re in in the hands of a masterful storyteller when you open a Giana Darling novel. You know you’re going to have your morals tested, your expectations challenged, and your heart ripped out of your chest. Her latest taboo romance, Lessons in Corruption, is no exception. And thank God for that.

King Kyle Garro. I know, right? The name itself is an orgasm personified. But prepare yourself, there’s more:
• Alpha? Check.
• Gorgeous? Check.
• Loyal? Check.
• Biker? Check.
• Poet? Check.
Wait, what? An alpha biker who not only writes poetry but reads it aloud for the sole purpose of claiming his woman?
Thump.
That’s the sound of panties hitting the floor worldwide. There’s going to be a global epidemic, you mark my words. There will be chaos and anarchy as more and more readers swoon over the perfection which is King.

You have been warned.

Cressida Irons. We’ve all got some Cress inside us. She’s that voice which questions if you’re good enough, that thought which worries about what others think, that inherent belief there is more to life yet is too terrified of change. Thank heavens she morphs into Queenie. Sassy, independent and fearless Queenie. The literary world needs more characters like her.

Now, I could get hung up on the taboo aspect of a teacher hooking up with her student. I could go on and on about the impropriety of it all, blah, blah, blah. But I won’t. Firstly, this is a work of fiction and should never be confused with fact. Secondly, there is so much more to this novel than the teacher/student trope. And thirdly, it is so well written you will cheer for the MC’s while they search for their happily ever after regardless.

I was blown away by this book. I lived and breathed the characters, I fought their demons as though they were my own. Hell, I lost track of minutes, hours and days because I was so engrossed in this story. I. Never. Wanted. The. Book. To. End.

Such is the mastery of Giana Darling.

***I voluntarily read an ARC of this book***




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Bennett by Sybil Bartel

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I didn’t think it was possible to improve on Sybil Bartel’s, previous release. I mean, how can anyone pen a more perfect alpha hero than Cuban ex-marine, Andre? Turns out, you can. And Bennett, book four in the Uncompromising Series is… *swoons* EVERYTHING.

Dominant? Check.
Protective? Check.
Drummer? Check.
Hot af? Check.
Martial arts expert? Check.
Determined to claim his woman? Check.

There are not enough panties in the world to survive this book. There are not enough hours in the day or batteries in your Kindle.

You. Will. Read. It. In. One. Sitting.

Why? Because it’s that damn good. Because the pacing, rising tension, chemistry—sweet Lord, the chemistry—will draw you in and keep you captive. Even when you turn the last page, you will frantically search through Bartel’s backlog in a bid to exist in her world for a bit longer.

Such is the power of her writing.

And this book is dark, there is no doubt about it. It touches on subjects which will trigger some readers. However, coexisting beside the characters as they navigate through their reality is both an honor and a privilege. No, I’m not glorifying these horrors, I’m respecting the fact they are written about honestly.

Regardless of the sensitive subject matter, the characters, their relationships, and their deservedness for a happily ever after will keep you transfixed. Your will devour every word, you will sigh deep sighs, intermittently reach for the tissues, and find yourself grinning by the end.

You will LOVE Bennett.



***I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review***
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Suddenly Forbidden by Ella Fields

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Ella Fields is a name synonymous with romance. And I’m talking all encompassing, soul destroying, gut wrenching, romance. It’s the kind which many writers aim to create, but for whatever reason, can’t execute.

Fields’s latest release, Suddenly Forbidden, is deceptive in its complexity. It begins with a lingering look, builds to a resounding crescendo, and refuses to let go until the reader’s heart is either bursting or shattered.

To be honest, this book is so freaking gorgeous, I don’t think I can do it justice in a review. I mean, how can I give words to a love born from the stars and moon? How can I describe the connection between two souls destined to interlace? And how can I explain the utter devastation when life has other plans?

I can’t.

But I can assure you that this novel, this piece of absolute perfection, is worth every gasp, every sigh, every tear.

I’m making it sound sappy, aren’t I? It’s not. For the record, I’m not a fan of sweet romance. I like my novels filthy, with a healthy side helping of sweet lord, that was hot. I guess this is why I’m so dazzled by Suddenly Forbidden—it balances heat and heart so effortlessly. The reader doesn’t realise how immersed they’ve become in the story until tears dampen cheeks and butterflies explode in stomachs. Not many authors can do this. Not many authors can suspend disbelief to the extent where you swear the romantic connection between the main characters is real because it feels real.

Ella Fields can.

Which is why you must, you simply must read Suddenly Forbidden. And when your heart is pounding in time with Daisy and Quinn's, you’ll know exactly what I mean.




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Callan by Sybil Bartel

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Sybil Bartel never disappoints. Ever. And Callan, (The Uncompromising Series Book 5) is one of the best military romances I’ve read in a looooooong time. Okay, since Bennett (The Uncompromising Series Book 4) released. And yes, my ovaries are still recovering. Thanks for asking.

You see, I’d been in a reading slump. To be fair, it was my own fault. I went too hard reading Bennett and suddenly the gazillion and one books left on my Kindle did absolutely nothing for me. Nothing forced me to stay awake past crazy o’clock because I was literally going to implode if I didn’t find out what happened between the hero and heroine.

Until Callan.

Sweet Lord, I want his babies. I don’t care if he never utters a contraction throughout the entire novel, I don’t care if he disregards social conventions surrounding step-siblings, I don’t care if he takes his sweet ass time in melting my iPad. I. Don’t. Care. Because somehow he straddles the fine line between vulnerability and alpha, and it is this which kept me turning the pages.

When was the last time you read a book where the hero murmurs ovulation-inducing dialogue? When was the last time he held a rifle while doing it? And when was the last time he went hunting, holding said rifle, while talking directly to your lady-eggs?

Exactly.

Sybil Bartel has done it again. She’s ruined me for all other alphas.




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Execution by Lucia Franco

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


To be honest, I don’t know how to start this review. And it’s strange because I’ve never had a problem writing them before. You either like the book or you don’t, or you like parts and don’t like other parts. Heck, you might hate the entire thing and go on a thesis length rant about the ineptitude of the author. Writing a review isn’t rocket science, I know this, and yet…

*sighs*

What if you love a novel so much you’re worried your review won’t encapsulate how freaking good it is? What if your words take away, rather than add to its appeal? My writing style isn’t everyone’s cup of Dilmah, and I’m okay with this, but I’d hate if it turned off potential readers. Off Balance is a must read series, I can’t stuff this up.

So, I guess I could throw in some well-placed shouty caps about how hot the sex scenes are. I could fangirl something fierce over the physical perfection of the hero and secondary character. I could touch on the forbidden aspects and put in my two cents about whether it’s really taboo or not. Man, I could even start a support group to help deal with parts of the storyline.

But I won’t.

Lucia Franco’s, Execution (Off Balance Book 2) deserves more than that. No, it is more than that. It’s brilliant. Plainly put, this book is one of the best contemporary romances I’ve ever read. Period. The. Flipping. End.

"What about the book makes it so amazing?" you ask. A fair question, and one this review can’t answer because I’d need several thousand words to do it. However, what I can say is the hero and heroine are perfect. Perfect. As protagonists, they’re absolutely faultless because of one simple truth: they’re flawed. Yep, Kova and Adrianna are so inherently flawed it’s difficult to even like them sometimes. I mean, they lie, mask hidden agendas, and hurt one another more often than not. This couple could be considered toxic if you didn’t look close enough.

Look closer.

In lies, there is beauty. In hidden agendas, there is purpose. In distrust, there is faith. And beneath it all, beneath society’s expectations, social customs, and norms is one of the most mesmerising love stories you will ever read.

I can’t make it more obvious. From the opening line to the final punctuation mark, I loved Execution.




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Welcome to the Dark Side by Giana Darling

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I was wondering if I could ask you a question, and it’s kinda personal so feel free to pass. But since you’re still reading I’m assuming you’ve given me the go ahead so I’m just gonna pull up my big girl panties and say it…

I’ve lost my ovaries. Have you seen them?

They were last spotted at the start of Welcome to the Dark Side (The Fallen Men, #2), but have gone missing since then. Pretty sure it was sometime after Zeus Garro was introduced, so I’m blaming him. You know the guy, tall, built like a mountain, capable of killing men with his bare hands or bringing a woman to orgasm with the twitch of his lips. He’s the one with a dirty mouth, kind heart, and body of a Viking. Yeah, that guy.

No?

Hmm, maybe Lou has seen them. After all, she’s partly to blame for those pesky internal organs skipping out on me. If she hadn’t formed an unbreakable bond with her Guardian Monster all those years ago, none of this would have happened. Who would have thought strong willed, compassionate, and intelligent women sent Zeus into a sexual frenzy? Not me, that’s for sure.

You know what? Maybe Giana Darling has seen them. She’s the mastermind behind the whole series, the one who’s responsible for melting Kindles around the globe. Heck, it’s her fault sleep deprived devotees are scrambling for coffee injections to get them through their day after binge reading well into the night. This book is addictive, damn it. It needs to come with a warning label. Something like, YOUR OVARIES WILL GO MIA, or THIS READING DEVICE MIGHT SPONTANOUSLY COMBUST needs to be stamped on the front cover.

Yeah, maybe I’ll ask her.




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Bittersweet Always by Ella Fields

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


There are many romance novels which touch on the theme of mental illness. There are many that do the issue justice, and some that don’t. There are those that glorify, and those that objectify. Heck, there are even those that have no freaking idea what it truly is.

Ella Fields' latest release, Bittersweet Always, does none of the above. No, this novel gives honesty, integrity, and empathy to an otherwise stigmatised issue. Bittersweet Always teaches the reader what it’s like to love a person who struggles to love themself. It shows what it’s like to care for someone who’s constantly trapped inside their own head. And I don’t know if it’s because this topic hits so close to home, or if it’s Ella’s signature style, but my heart will never be the same again. This book tore it out my chest only to replace it in a slightly different spot. So with every beat, every pulse, every skip, I’m reminded of Pippa and Toby’s story.

And what a story it is.

Sometimes it’s a fundamental truth that two people are meant to be together. Sometimes the stars align, it’s preordained, life deems it so and so it is. But where Bittersweet Always deviates from common romance tropes, is in exploring the notion that just because Pippa and Toby are in love, this doesn’t mean their relationship is all rainbows and freaking butterflies. And the beauty of this is, their journey mirrors real life so succinctly it’s hard to determine where the pages end and the reader begins. This phenomenon is both amazing and gut wrenching because as we all know love can be hard, cruel, and bitter. On the other hand, it can also be sweet, beautiful, and so absolute the word itself doesn’t even begin to encompass its emotional range.

Don’t worry, Ella takes our hand as she walks us through the darkest of places. She lets us see for ourselves the devastation love can yield, but also the joy it can bring to those brave enough to experience it. And finally, she leads us to where love, true love, is one part bitter and three parts sweet.




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Unveiling Hope by Jeannine Allison

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Jeannine Allison doesn’t disappoint. Ever. Her stories are the perfect balance of beautiful romance and hot as hell scenes—no mean feat, let me tell you. And her latest release, Unveiling Hope, (Unveiling #5), traverses the precarious line between sweet and sexy as though it’s the simplest thing in the world.

It’s not.

You see, many authors attempt to do this but fall short. They either litter their novels with so much sweetness you need a dental check up afterward, or so much sex, a fresh change of panties is in order. It’s beyond difficult to marry the two seamlessly, let alone build a well-crafted novel complete with three dimensional characters. But Allison does this, and she does it well. The relationship between Samantha and Derek is as complex as it is original, the plotline is slow-building and oh so engaging, and the reader is left exhaling a satisfied sigh when they finally reach the end.

Talent. That’s what Jeannine Allison has, a geometric tonne of literary talent. It’s a pleasure to read her books.




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Reid Tate strides down the front steps of Rising Star like a god sent to test the virtue of every woman on Earth. I gasp, then try to pass it off as a sneeze and end up sounding as though I swallowed my own tongue.

He ambles over to his wagon two cars down. Testosterone oozes from his pores, leaving me so flustered I have no idea where to look. My chipped nail polish will have to do.

Tobias’s greeting is warm. Traitor. “Hey, man. What’s up?”

Reid moves over to where we stand. Next to a twelve-foot penis. Fuck my life.

Raising my chin, I watch, mesmerized, as those long, tattooed ngers push wavy blond hair behind his ears. My gaze travels the corded muscles of his forearms and biceps, marveling at the way his ink sparks to life with each movement. His tight black T-shirt stretches across broad shoulders, and when my eyes finally land on his face, I can’t stop staring at his lips. Full, plump, masterful lips. I still remember their taste.

Nope, not going there.

He doesn’t glance in my direction. Instead, Reid smirks at Tobias. “Broke my sticks.”

When I cross my arms, my breasts almost break the fitted V-neck shirt encasing them. The pulse at the base of Reid’s neck jumps, but other than that, he remains impassive. Despite feeling as wanted as a yeast infection, I try to match his disinterested expression.

“Do you need some more?” Tobias retrieves a new pair of hickory drumsticks from the back pocket of his jeans. “Here, take these. I’ve got spares in my car.”

After a pause, Reid nods, accepting the proffered gift. “Thanks, appreciate it.”

“No problem.”

Reid’s gaze takes in my van. Seconds later, his wolf-gray eyes slam into me. My heart stops, my knees question their purpose in life, and the roar of the ocean swells in my ears. I think I’m dying.

“Been thinkin’ about me, darlin’?”

Definitely dying.

Tobias throws his head back, laughing. Gritting my teeth,
I glare at my soon-to-be ex-best friend. With a nod in Tobias’s direction and no regard whatsoever for the mayhem he caused in my panties, Reid saunters back inside.

Unbelievable.

_______________

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